292 THE BUCKTHORN. 



every tree with which it is associated. It often sends up 

 a massive trunk seventy or eighty feet before it begins to 

 branch, and then sends out huge arms, any one of which 

 exceeds in dimensions the other trees which stand around. 

 Michaux mentions one growing on a small island in the 

 ( )hio, which measured forty feet in circumference at five 

 feet from the ground ; and another on the right bank of 

 the same river, which sent up a columnar mass of timber 

 forty-seven feet in circumference to the height of twenty 

 feet before it began to branch. His host offered to show 

 him others equally large, a few miles off from this last 

 station. 



In the Atlantic States of America the Plane is commonly 

 known by the name of Buttonwood, from the resemblance 

 between its seed-balls and old-fashioned buttons. In 

 other States it is called Water Beech, Sycamore, or Cotton- 

 tree. In some parts, where it is very abundant, the 

 inhabitants regard it with dread, as they think that the 

 down, which in summer detaches itself from the leaves 

 and floats about in the air, has a tendency, when inhaled, 

 to produce irritation of the lungs, and finally consumption. 



The timber of the Plane is of no great value, on account 

 of its liability to warp ; it is, however, remarkable for 

 having its concentric circles interrupted by bright medul- 

 lary rays, and it will take a good polish. It is used for 

 the commonest purposes only. 



THE BUCKTHORN. 

 RHAMNUS. 



Natural Order RHAMNEJE. 

 Class PENTANDRIA. Order MONOGYNIA. 



OF this tree, little known though it probably is, there 

 are two very distinct species indigenous to Britain, and 

 one of them is far from uncommon. This species, Ehamnus 



